Planning commission recommends rezoning at 2110 West Alto Road to legalize long-standing residential use

The Kokomo City Planning Commission on Sept. 9 voted to recommend that the Kokomo Common Council rezone three parcels at 2110 West Alto Road from Office Commercial (OC) to Agricultural/Residential (AR) so the buyer can combine the lots and use the property for residential purposes (case P21Z25).

Attorney David Barrett represented Lindsay Marie Fisher, who is buying the property on contract and is the petition’s agent; Barrett said the owners (the Stages) had signed the petition consenting to the rezoning. Barrett and Fisher told the commission the property has been used to keep horses and as a residence for several years, and the rezoning would “clean up” an odd legacy zoning that left a residential use classified OC following annexation.

Staff reported the requested rezoning is intended to make the lot legal for residential use and said, if the commission recommends approval, the owner plans to combine the three lots into one parcel. The staff report referenced the City of Kokomo Comprehensive Plan future land use map, noting the West Alto Road area is designated for general commercial and high-density residential uses and that the segment of West Alto Road is a minor arterial with a traffic count of 5,514 vehicles per day. Staff recommended forwarding a favorable recommendation to council.

After no public questions, the commission voted to recommend council approval. The commission’s recommendation does not itself change parcel zoning; final action rests with the Kokomo Common Council.